Ben Seitz is NEMA
2005 Champion Driver

Gene Angelillo is NEMA
2005 Owner Champion

Manchester, CT: The Northeastern Midget Association enjoyed one of their most competitive years on record. The champion- ship battle went down to the wire between defending champion Ben Seitz of Monument Beach, MA and Joey Payne of Pomona, NJ. At the conclusion of the Waterford Speedbowl Town Fair Tire “Finale” on November 6, 2005, Seitz was in victory lane with the win and his second straight driving title. This year Seitz will share the honor with the championship car owner Gene Angelillo.

Seitz earned the driving title with four wins on the season. Angelillo, who fields cars for Payne, the runner-up in the title chase, scored the honor with three wins during the 2005 season.

“It is a privilege to share this honor with Gene Angelillo,” said Seitz. “He is how excellence is defined in NEMA racing. He has done so much for the club and the sport of Midget racing here in New England.”

In total, Seitz scored a remarkable 13 top-five finishes in 15 starts. His four wins came at Stafford, Seekonk, Thompson and Waterford. He earned the Cape Cod Aggregates Hard Charger Award twice during the season.

“I have to thank so many people for helping to make this possible,” said Seitz full of admiration. “My car owner Peter Valeri gives me everything I need to win, along with a great friendship. I have a dedicated crew that works very hard to make us the best. I have an incredible support network in my family and my girlfriend Lauren. And I have a great sponsor with Cape Cod Aggregates-Sam Lorusso and his family. I also have to thank Mike Scrivani for all his help.”

Seitz joins an elite group of Midget racers to have earned two or more NEMA titles including Bill Eldrege, Al Pinion, Dick Brown, Joe Csiki, Dave Humphreys, Johnny Mann, Bobby White, Joey Coy, Drew Fornoro and Russ Stoehr. The later two drivers earned multiple championships for 2005 car owner champion Angelillo.

“It is amazing to win two championships in a row,” said Seitz. “I wish this one could have been with (car owner) Peter (Valeri) too; but, this championship means as much to me as the first because it was such an intense battle with Joey all season. The win at Waterford was the best feeling.”

Despite the statistics, the 2005 season had its share of ups and downs for the defending champion. The season started with a commanding win in the prestigious Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway back in April but turned frustrating after a series of cancellations and rainouts halted the schedule. The June 4th event at Adirondack was admittedly a low point of the season followed by a major disappointment at Oswego.

“The low point of the season had to be the blown engine at Oswego,” said Seitz. “We were running strong in second when we lost the engine. I believe we could have won that race.”

It was the second time that engine woes hindered Seitz in 2005. An engine failure at Adirondack Speedway in June found Seitz borrowing a car from Glen Cabral. Seitz earned driver points for the event while Cabral was credited with the owner points. Adirondack was the difference for Seitz’s car owner Peter Valeri, who finished second to Angelillo in the owner’s champions by a mere eight points.

“I really have to thank Glenn Cabral for coming through for me at Adirondack,” continued Seitz. “Our teams race wheel-to-wheel every week and the Cabrals were willing to help me. It says a lot about their family and the people that make up our Club.”

The goods days far outweighed the bad for Seitz. During the 2005 season, Ben Seitz stood on the podium at the conclusion of eight of the Club’s 15 races. The season capped off with the win at the Speedbowl to clinch the title. When the pressure was on this young driver stepped up to the challenge to win the race and his championship.

The Northeastern Midget Association would like to congratulate Ben Seitz, Gene Angelillo and the entire Club on their accomplishments in 2005. Best Wishes to the racing community for a Happy Thanksgiving.